Matt Bessette

Matt Bessette (born December 28, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in CES MMA where he is the reigning Featherweight Champion. A professional competitor since 2007, he has also competed for Bellator and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Matt Bessette
Bessette in 2015
BornMatthew James Bessette
(1984-12-28) December 28, 1984[1]
Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Other namesThe Mangler
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
DivisionFeatherweight
Lightweight
Reach67 in (170 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofHartford, Connecticut, United States
TeamUnderdog Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Ascension Athletics
TrainerStand-up: Russell Leak[1]
BJJ: Fabiano Teles
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2] under Rafael Formiga[3]
Brown belt in Judo[2]
Years active2007–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total32
Wins23
By knockout8
By submission8
By decision7
Losses9
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision6
By disqualification1
UniversityUniversity of Hartford
Notable school(s)Stafford High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Bessette was born in Hartford, Connecticut. He was diagnosed with leukemia on August 13, 1988 at the age of three and was hospitalized for it. The doctors gave him 50% chance of survival, but became more optimistic after the initial treatments, which reduced significantly the leukemic cells. Bessette also developed asthma at an early age, although that never prevented him from competing in sports such as baseball, basketball, soccer, and football. After graduating from Stafford High School in 2003, Bessette attended the University of Hartford. While still in the university, he was introduced to mixed martial arts at the age of 22 and graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree.[1]

In June 2016, Bessette opened Ascension Athletics in Bristol, Connecticut.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Bessette started his professional career in 2007. He fought mainly for Connecticut-based promotion Reality Fighting. Bessette faced Anthony Kaponis on October 9, 2010 at Reality Fighting: Eruption for the vacant lightweight title. He defeated Kaponis via split decision in a five-round bout.[4] Bessette was set to make his first title defense against Joe Proctor on October 8, 2011 at Reality Fighting: Gonzaga vs. Porter. He lost his title via unanimous decision after five rounds.[5]

Bellator MMA

In 2012, Bessette signed with Bellator.[6] Bessette made his promotional debut against Saul Almeida on March 30, 2012 at Bellator 63. He won via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).[7] Bessette faced The Ultimate Fighter 12 competitor Paul Barrow on November 16, 2012 at Bellator 81. He won via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27).[8] Bessette faced Nick Piedmont on September 7, 2013 at Bellator 98. He won via knockout early in the first round.[9]

Bessette faced Diego Nunes in the quarterfinal match of Bellator Season Ten Featherweight Tournament on February 28, 2014 at Bellator 110.[10] He won the back-and-forth fight via split decision. Bessette faced Daniel Weichel in the tournament semifinals at Bellator 114 on March 28, 2014. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Bessette faced Scott Cleve on September 5, 2014 at Bellator 123. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[11] Bessette faced Josh LaBerge at Bellator 134 on February 27, 2015.[12] He won the fight due to a doctor stoppage between the second and third rounds.

After a two fight stint with CES MMA, Bessette returned to Bellator and faced Kevin Roddy at Bellator 144 on October 23, 2015. He won via submission with a heel hook in the first round.[13] Bessette faced Keith Richardson at Bellator 153 on April 22, 2016. He won in the second round due to a doctor stoppage.[14]

CES MMA

Bessette made his promotional debut on June 12, 2015 in the co-main event of CES MMA 29 against Kharma Worthy. He won via knockout in the second round.[15] He returned for CES MMA 30 on August 14, 2015 against Lenny Wheeler. He lost via knockout in the first round, making it the first time in his career that he was knocked out.[16] After a return to Bellator, Bessette returned to CES MMA on March 11, 2016 to face Taurean Bogguess at CES MMA 33. He won via submission with a triangle choke in the first round.[17] He was originally scheduled to fight Tito Jones, but Jones backed out three days before the event due to injury.[18]

Bessette returned to CES MMA on June 10, 2016 to face Jairo Soares at CES MMA 36, but Soares was pulled the day before the fight for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs.[19] Soares's replacement was Ran Weathers, whom Bessette defeated via submission in the first round.

Featherweight Champion At CES MMA 37: Summer Gold, Bessette was set to take on Stephen Cerventes for the vacant CES Featherweight Championship, but he was replaced by Joe Pingitore.[20] Bessette won the featherweight belt with a heel hook submission victory in the second round. Bessette successfully defended his title with a TKO win over Kevin Croom at CES MMA 41.[21] At CES MMA 44, Bessette was scheduled to fight Jeremy Spoon but he was replaced with Rey Trujillo.[22] Bessette again successfully defended his championship with a TKO victory.[23]

Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series

On June 22, 2017, it was announced that Bessette would headline the July 11 premiere event of the Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series against Kurt Holobaugh.[24] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round. Five days after the fight, it was announced that Kurt Holobaugh used an illegal method of hydrating with an IV, the fight would be declared a no contest.[25]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In his UFC debut, Bessette replaced Arnold Allen against Enrique Barzola at UFC 220 on January 20, 2018.[26] at UFC 220 on January 20, 2018 .[27] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[28]

Bessette faced Steven Peterson on July 6, 2018 at The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale.[29] He lost the fight via split decision.[30]

Post-UFC career

After being released from the UFC, Bessette returned to CES MMA, facing Tim Dooling in his promotional return at CES MMA 55 on March 29, 2019. Bessette won the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.

He then faced Charles Cheeks III for the vacant CES Featherweight Championship at CES MMA 60 on January 24, 2020. Bessette won the fight via knockout in the third round, claiming the championship for the second time in his career.[31]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts
  • CES MMA
    • CES MMA Featherweight Championship (Two times; current)
  • Reality Fighting
    • RF Lightweight Championship (One time)[4]
  • Global Fight League
    • GFL Lightweight Championship (One time)[32]

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
34 matches 24 wins 9 losses
By knockout 8 1
By submission 8 1
By decision 8 6
By disqualification 0 1
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 24–9 (1) Charles Cheeks III KO (punch) CES MMA 60: Bessette vs. Cheeks January 24, 2020 3 4:01 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Won the CES Featherweight Championship.
Win 23–9 (1) Tim Dooling Decision (unanimous) CES MMA 55: Wells vs De Jesus March 29, 2019 3 5:00 Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Loss 22–9 (1) Steven Peterson Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Finale July 6, 2018 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 22–8 (1) Enrique Barzola Decision (unanimous) UFC 220 January 20, 2018 3 5:00 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
NC 22–7 (1) Kurt Holobaugh NC (overturned) Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series 1 July 11, 2017 1 2:59 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Originally a KO (punch) win for Holobaugh; overturned due to his unlawful use of an IV before the fight.
Win 22–7 Rey Trujillo TKO (doctor stoppage) CES MMA 44: Bessette vs. Trujillo May 12, 2017 2 5:00 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Defended the CES Featherweight Championship.
Win 21–7 Kevin Croom TKO (punches) CES MMA 41: Bessette vs. Croom January 27, 2017 3 0:32 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Defended the CES Featherweight Championship.
Win 20–7 Joe Pingitore Submission (heel hook) CES MMA 37: Summer Gold August 12, 2016 2 4:38 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Won the CES Featherweight Championship.
Win 19–7 Ran Weathers Submission (guillotine choke) CES MMA 36: Andrews vs. Muro June 10, 2016 1 4:50 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Lightweight bout.
Win 18–7 Keith Richardson TKO (doctor stoppage) Bellator 153 April 22, 2016 2 3:14 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 17–7 Taurean Bogguess Submission (triangle choke) CES MMA 33: Soukhamthath vs. Nordby March 11, 2016 1 2:41 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Catchweight (150 lbs) bout.
Win 16–7 Kevin Roddy Submission (heel hook) Bellator 144 October 23, 2015 1 3:47 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 15–7 Lenny Wheeler KO (punches) CES MMA 30: Felix vs. Lane August 14, 2015 1 0:39 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Catchweight (150 lbs) bout.
Win 15–6 Khama Worthy KO (punch) CES MMA 29: O'Neil vs. Steele June 12, 2015 2 2:42 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States
Win 14–6 Josh LaBerge TKO (doctor stoppage) Bellator 134 February 27, 2015 2 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 13–6 Scott Cleve Decision (unanimous) Bellator 123 September 5, 2014 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 13–5 Daniel Weichel Decision (unanimous) Bellator 114 March 28, 2014 3 5:00 West Valley City, Utah, United States Bellator Season 10 Featherweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 13–4 Diego Nunes Decision (split) Bellator 110 February 28, 2014 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Bellator Season 10 Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 12–4 Nick Piedmont KO (punches) Bellator 98 September 7, 2013 1 1:41 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Featherweight debut.
Win 11–4 Jeff Anderson Decision (unanimous) Reality Fighting: New Year's Bash January 5, 2013 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Catchweight (150 lbs) bout.
Win 10–4 Paul Barrow Decision (unanimous) Bellator 81 November 16, 2012 3 5:00 Kingston, Rhode Island, United States
Win 9–4 Aniss Alhajjajy Decision (unanimous) Reality Fighting: Naples vs. Lee September 22, 2012 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 8–4 Andres Jeudi DQ (illegal upkick) Reality Fighting: Mohegan Sun June 2, 2012 3 4:43 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 8–3 Saul Almeida Decision (unanimous) Bellator 63 March 30, 2012 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 7–3 Joe Proctor Decision (unanimous) Reality Fighting: Gonzaga vs. Porter October 8, 2011 5 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Lost the Reality Fighting Lightweight Championship.
Win 7–2 John Benoit Submission (guillotine choke) GFL 10: Benoit vs. Bessette April 15, 2011 2 4:59 Lowell, Massachusetts, United States Won the GFL Lightweight Championship.
Win 6–2 Anthony Kaponis Decision (split) Reality Fighting: Eruption October 9, 2010 5 5:00 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States Won the vacant Reality Fighting Lightweight Championship.
Win 5–2 Andrew Amaral Submission (guillotine choke) Reality Fighting: Ignition July 17, 2010 2 3:30 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Win 4–2 Andrew Carron Decision (unanimous) Reality Fighting: Ferocity November 7, 2009 3 4:00 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Loss 3–2 Chris Chappell Submission (guillotine choke) FFP: Untamed 26 February 28, 2009 3 2:13 Westport, Massachusetts, United States
Win 3–1 Jeff Camera TKO (punches) Reality Fighting: Collision July 19, 2008 2 2:18 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Win 2–1 Andres Lebron Submission (rear-naked choke) Reality Fighting: Nightmare April 12, 2008 2 2:45 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Loss 1–1 Bill Jones Decision (split) Reality Fighting: Annihilation January 19, 2008 3 3:00 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Win 1–0 Chris Correira Submission (guillotine choke) Reality Fighting: Invictus September 15, 2007 3 N/A Concord, New Hampshire, United States
gollark: Random picture #2.
gollark: The tritium + excess deuterium then goes into the *middle* reactor.
gollark: It generates deuterium from... minecraft physics... and fuses that into something, tritium and helium-3.
gollark: No, I mean the other thing.
gollark: *That* is my triple fusion reactor, entirely self-sustaining, in one compact machine, producing 500kRF/t.

References
  1. David J. Bessette. "Matt Bessette's biography". Mattbessette.net. Archived from the original on July 2, 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  2. "Matt Bessette - Official UFC Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  3. @manglerufc (January 30, 2017). ""(...) I was awarded my Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (...)"". Instagram. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  4. "Reality Fighting: Eruption official results". Mixedmartialarts.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  5. Alvin Benjamin Carter III (October 8, 2011). "Local Scene: Carter's live report – Reality Fighting at Mohegan Sun". MMAtorch.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  6. Press release (March 27, 2013). "Bellator 63 stacked with local talent on March 30". Fightnetwork.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  7. Brian Knapp (March 30, 2012). "Amoussou, Baker, Rickels, Saunders advance to welterweight semis at Bellator 63". Sherdog.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  8. Brian Knapp (November 16, 2012). "Marcin Held, Dave Jansen punch tickets to lightweight final at Bellator 81". Sherdog.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  9. MMAjunkie.com staff (September 7, 2013). "Bellator 98 results: Shlemenko retains title in slugfest with Cooper". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  10. MMAjunkie.com staff (January 24, 2014). "Pairings revealed for featherweight-tourney opening round at Bellator 110". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  11. "Bellator 123 results: 'Pitbull' Freire gets revenge, takes title from Pat Curran". mmajunkie.com. September 5, 2014.
  12. "Bellator 134 prelims: 'The Silencer,' 'The Freight Train,' 'The Irish Bad Boy,' 'The Barn Cat'". mmajunkie.com. February 5, 2015.
  13. Bellator 144 results: Rafael Carvalho kick stuns Brandon Halsey to win 185 title. MMAjunkie (October 23, 2015). Retrieved on 2016-06-11.
  14. Bellator 153 results: Andrey Koreshkov dominates Benson Henderson to retain title. MMAjunkie (April 22, 2016). Retrieved on 2016-06-11.
  15. CES MMA 29 video highlights: Yeah, that guy is out on his feet. MMAjunkie (June 13, 2015). Retrieved on 2016-06-11.
  16. CES MMA 30 video highlights: Luis Felix gets payback, plus a 39-second KO. MMAjunkie (August 15, 2015). Retrieved on 2016-06-11.
  17. CES MMA 33 results: Andre Soukhamthath wins title with incredible flying knee KO. MMAjunkie (March 11, 2016). Retrieved on 2016-06-11.
  18. Matt Bessette vs. Tito Jones booked for CES MMA 33 – The MMA Report. Themmareport.com (February 2016). Retrieved on June 11, 2016.
  19. James Lynch on Twitter: "Matt Bessette is now fights Ran Weathers at #CES36. His original opponent Jairo Soares has recently tested positive for PED & isn't cleared". Twitter.com (July 12, 2009). Retrieved on 2016-06-11.
  20. "Joe Pingitore now meets Matt Bessette for vacant 145 title at CES MMA 37". MMAjunkie. August 9, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
  21. "Matt Bessette Defends His Title Knocking Out Kevin Croom on 'AXS TV FIGHTS: CES MMA 41' | AXS TV". www.axs.tv. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
  22. "Matt Bessette meets new challenger Reynaldo Trujillo in CES MMA 44 headliner". MMAjunkie. May 4, 2017. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
  23. Sherdog.com. "Matt Bessette Pulverizes Rey Trujillo to Retain CES MMA Featherweight Title". Sherdog. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
  24. http://www.ufc.com/news/Dana-White-Tuesday-Night-Contender-Series-Premiere
  25. Mike Bohn (July 11, 2017). "'Dana White's Contender Series' Week 1 results: Kurt Holobaugh KOs Matt Bessette in headliner". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  26. "EXCLUSIVE: Arnold Allen Out of UFC 220 Bout Against Enrique Barzola - MMA Today". MMA Today. January 11, 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  27. "UFC 220: Matt Bessette booked to fight Enrique Barzola". FanSided. January 11, 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  28. "UFC 220 results: Takedowns help Enrique Barzola to unanimous decision over Matt Bessette". MMAjunkie. January 21, 2018. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  29. Staff (May 4, 2018). "Matt Bessette vs. Steven Peterson added to The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  30. "TUF 27 Finale results: Steven Peterson wins split decision from Matt Bessette with tenacity". MMAjunkie. July 7, 2018. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  31. "CES MMA 60 Results: Bessette Crushes Cheeks, Claims Featherweight Crown". combatpress.com. January 24, 2020.
  32. "GFL 10 results: Matt 'The Mangler' Bessette wins lightweight title". MMAmadman.com. April 16, 2011. Archived from the original on April 24, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
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